But as the priest is 1) a human being and 2) a male, one can be forgiven for suspecting that, in reality, it is really about the physique. And it appears one is after all right to do so, as one reads on to discover Father Antonio Rungi's observations that nuns from Africa and Latin America were "really very, very pretty. The Brazilian girls, above all".
In other words, here is a contest disguised as a contest of spirituality, but that is, in reality, about the one thing that all beauty contests are about: rating the physique of women.
Despite this, it raised the philosopher in me, and got me thinking about the difference between outer and inner beauty. It is inevitable that human beings become captivated by physical beauty, whether it is the girl at the other end of the class, or that guy walking down the street. There is something overwhelming about it, isn't there?
So the question is, why is it inner beauty rarely has the same effect on us? Why is it that we merely remark over inner beauty, and yet we slip into a trance over outer beauty? Why is it we fall head over heels when it comes to the physical, but merely comment in passing on the inner?
Well, as is ever the case, Biblical authors were way ahead of me on this one. This verse from the first book of Samuel summarises my observations rather well:
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." [1 Sam 16]
However, all it does, of course, is observe. What I could really do with is a verse which tells us what we should be doing about it. Cue 1 Peter:
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." [3:3-4]
In light of this verse the idea of nuns having inner beauty has a ring of truth...the "gentle and quiet spirit". And it certainly makes sense...a beautiful face may have aesthetic appeal, arouse one's eros for a short while, and such; but the inner beauty of a gentle spirit can bring peace, comfort and serenity.
So what am I saying? That we should train ourselves to stop noticing and being captivated by physical beauty, change our focus, etc.? Well, no, that would be sheer hypocrisy...but I am saying that maybe, once in a while, we might make more of an attempt to note, ponder and even bask in the inner beauty of those around us. I am positive that the rewards of such thinking are far longer-term, far greater, and far more widespread.
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